Maintenance system for portable printer, scanner, and copier

ABSTRACT

A compact and portable printer, scanner and copier having dimensions and a housing allowing the device to be portable for travel with a laptop computer or other tablet or portable computing device. The three in one printer has a pivotal carriage for linear and rotational movement of the carriage and an ink cartridge. The printer also has an easily accessible removable ink cartridge maintenance system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/986,946, filed Jan. 4, 2016, which is based on and claims thebenefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/099,299 filedJan. 2, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a compact and portable device forprinting, scanning and/or copying documents.

Lap top computers and other portable computing devices including tabletsand pads are increasingly common and are convenient travel accessories.While lap tops are convenient when travelling, allowing a user tocontinue working when away from the home or office, it is generallydifficult for a user to find a device capable of printing documents whenaway from home or the office. While some hotels are equipped withprinters for general use by guests, many hotels do not offer thisservice and a user must locate a store location offering servicesdirected to printing, scanning or copying needs.

It is generally required then for a user to save documents or workproducts to an external device and to locate a printer in a hotel or ata retail location equipped for printing, copying and scanning items forothers. Alternatively, a user may electronically transmit a copy of adocument or work product to a hotel service for printing the documentsor to a retail location for printing the documents. However, thisrequires the user to travel to another location to retrieve printeditems and to make sure access to their documents or work product byanother device is available.

Further, when travelling where expenses are being reimbursed, forexample, a business trip, a user must typically organize and save all oftheir accumulated physical paper receipts so as to provide them to theiremployer upon their return.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-function compact devicecapable of printing, scanning and copying documents, the device having areduced overall size. The device is thus portable, similarly to a laptop computer, tablet, pad or other personal computing device. Themulti-function device is also configured for connection to, orcommunication with, a computing device to allow a user to selectivelyprint, scan and/or copy documents. The multi-function device may bereduced in overall size by incorporating any one or more of the aspectsof the present disclosure described below. Each aspect of the disclosureallows for a reduction in the overall dimensions of the device and/orincrease in efficiency and performance of the multi-function device.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a carriage for holdingan ink cartridge. The carriage is extensible, allowing the carriage tohave an extended or contracted length and is further pivotal about anaxis for selective positioning of the carriage. The carriage comprisesan extensible or displaceable frame section and a fixed frame sectionwhere the extensible or displaceable frame section is slidably connectedto the fixed frame section to form an open area configured for receivingan ink cartridge. The displaceable frame section is slidable along ahorizontal axis such that the length of the open area of the carriage isslidably adjustable. The carriage further comprises an actuation leverthat may be pivotally or otherwise rotatably secured to at least one ofthe displaceable or fixed frame sections for pivoting or rotating thelever about a first axis. A slidable connection having at least onecomponent for providing a bias force, for example, a spring, allows thecarriage to have a selectively adjustable length that may be secured anextended or compacted position. A bearing is configured for pivotalconnection to the carriage where the carriage is pivotal about a secondaxis, the second axis may be perpendicular to the first axis.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a removablemaintenance system for a printer comprising a substantially flat trayhaving a textured surface and configured to receive an absorbent pad. Anupwardly protruding ledge positioned on the tray and extendinghorizontally across the tray and a spring loaded frame for receiving acap allow for maintenance and storage of an ink cartridge. The tray isconfigured for accessible connection with a surface of a printer below aprint head, the connection being removable such that the tray isdisposable and a replacement tray easily inserted. The tray is securedto the surface in a manner that may allow the tray to be in a loweredposition away from an ink cartridge or a raised position proximate theink cartridge, wherein an assembly is configured to selectively raisethe tray.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a compact andportable device capable of printing, scanning and copying functionscomprising a housing having a base and a removable lid, where the lid isfurther adapted with a cover configured for opening and closing over thedevice. The cover is pivotally attached to the lid for opening andclosing wherein the lid provides an access opening to functioncomponents positioned within the housing. The lid is further configuredwith a paper support tray, the tray being extensible from the cover toextend a height above the open cover and to provide support for a papersupply. The support tray may be pivotally attached to an inner surfaceof the lid and rotatable from a compact to an open position, or slidablyconnected to enable movement from a lowered to a raised position. Acarriage for receiving an ink cartridge may be configured for rotatablemovement about a first axis and linear movement about a second,perpendicular axis, the carriage being disposed within the housing. Thedevice further comprises at least two motors wired in series wherein thetwo motors may be of a reduced size. The device also comprises aremovable maintenance system having a disposable or replaceable tray andabsorbent component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact printer, scanner and copierdevice of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print head in a stowed position in thedevice.

FIG. 3A is a front view of the device.

FIG. 3B is a back view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base frame of the device.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the base frame of the device

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main frame of the device.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the main frame of the device.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the main frame of the device.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the main frame of the device.

FIG. 11A is a front view of a carrier belt, carriage bracket, shaft anddrive components isolated from the main frame of the device.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the bracket, shaft and an encoderstrip secured to the main frame of the device.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the scanner drive roller gear assemblyof the gear train assembly of the device.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the scanner drive roller gear assemblyof the gear train assembly of the device.

FIG. 12C is a front view of a gear train assembly of the device.

FIG. 12D is a perspective view of a drive roller gear assembly of thegear train assembly of the device.

FIG. 12E is a front view of the drive roller gear assembly of the geartrain assembly of the device.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an auto sheet feeder roller of thedevice.

FIG. 13B is a view of a drive gear assembly of the auto sheet feeder ofthe device.

FIG. 13C is a side view of the drive gear assembly of the auto sheetfeeder of the device.

FIG. 13D is a side view of the pivoting sheet feeder roller of thedevice.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cover frame of the device.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a paper feed cover of the device.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a rotatable carriage of the device.

FIG. 17 is a back perspective view of the rotatable carriage of thedevice.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the rotatable carriage of the device.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a frame section and pivotal connectionpoint for the frame section and an actuation lever of the extensiblecarriage of the device.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the rotatable carriage of the device.

FIG. 21 is a front bottom perspective view of the rotatable carriage ofthe device.

FIG. 22 is a back view of the rotatable carriage of the device.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge of the device.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a removable maintenance tray of thedevice.

FIG. 25 is a top view of the removable maintenance tray of the device.

FIG. 26A is a side view of a drive gear assembly for the maintenancetray of the device.

FIG. 26B is a front view of a drive gear assembly for the maintenancetray of the device.

FIG. 26C is a back view of the drive gear assembly for the maintenancetray of the device

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a storage cap assembly.

FIG. 28 is a bottom perspective view of the storage cap assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The device of the present disclosure is a compact and portable printeralso configured for scanning and copying documents. The combinationprinter, scanner and copier of the present invention includes a compacthousing for the printer, scanner and copier function and powercomponents and an ink cartridge carrier configured for both linear androtary movement of the cartridge, which allow the device to be portableand to have significantly compact dimensions. In order to achieve thecompact construction, the device disclosed herein has a number offeatures, each feature contributing to the compact design and each suchfeature is considered patentable on its own.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the compact printer, scanner and copier of thepresent disclosure. The device includes a housing 10 where the printing,scanning and copying function and power components are disposed therein.The housing 10 is formed by a base frame 12 and a cover frame 14. Acover 15 is pivotally secured to the cover frame 14 and serves a dualpurpose of covering the internal components when the device is not inuse and also provides a paper feed support when opened. The housing 10may be constructed of a plastic material or other lightweight butdurable material.

The base frame 12 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 5-6 and isconfigured for supporting a main printing frame 16. The base frame 12 isa substantially flat base area 18, generally in the shape of arectangle. The base frame 12 is integrally adapted along the base area18 with two upturned edges 21 and 22 on opposing sides of the frame 12.The two opposing edges 21 and 22 are side walls that provide an outerperimeter to the device and are configured for connection with the coverframe 14. The side walls 21 and 22 extend around a corner of the basearea 18 a short distance along the front 24 and back 26 horizontallengths of the base area 18 allowing the front 24 and back 26 lengths ofthe base to be substantially unobstructed along the length. Open lengthsprovide a media inlet and media outlet in the base 12 allowing paper tobe fed into and out of the housing 10.

A circuit board 28 and corresponding circuit board cover 30 are securedon the inner face of the base area 18. A plurality of pinch rollers 32are spaced horizontally along a top surface of the cover 30. A printsensor and sensor holder are also secured to the top surface of thecover 30. The cover is also adapted with a generally rectangular opening34 exposing base area 18 and an aperture 19 in base area 18 andproviding a space configured to receive an ink maintenance system 36,which will be discussed in further detail below. The side walls 21 and22 of the base frame 12 are also adapted with apertures for supportingpower connections as well as USB ports. The opposing side areas of thebase area 18 are configured to receive various operating components forenabling any of the functions of the device.

The main printing frame 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 is a framesupporting the printing, scanning and copying hardware. For example, themain frame 16 has a horizontal carrier track 38 extending along itswidth. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, a slidable bearing, or bracket, 40 issecured to the track 38. The bearing or bracket 40 is slidable along thetrack and as is discussed further below, holds a print head comprising acarriage 80 and ink cartridge 83 by a pivotal connection, which allowsthe carriage 80 to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the horizontaltrack 38. The bearing or bracket 40 also allows for a pivotal orrotatable connection of the carriage 80 to the bracket 40. The mainframe 16 is configured along a front face with a scanning element 44 andscanning sensor 46 which extend horizontally across the main frame 16.In front of the sensor 46 and scanner 44 is a scanning roller 48.Scanner 44 is positioned in a forward or front length of the device. Thescanner 44 extends along the length of the device and incorporates thesensor 46. The sensor 46 is a paper sensor having an optical componentand lever arm device. FIGS. 12A-B illustrate a gear assembly 66configured for driving the scanner roller. When paper is fed into thescanner 44 a slotted optical sensor determines the presence of the paperfor scanning and activates the rollers to feed the paper through thescanner slot for scanning The paper for scanning is inserted through ascanner slot located along the front face of the device, is scanned, andis fed out of the device on the front face, from just below the scanner44.

Along a bottom face of the main frame near the front of the frame is apaper ejection roller 50. Rollers 48 and 50 are similarly configured inthat each roller comprises a bar extending across the main frame 16having a plurality of spaced apart rubber rollers configured to rotatewith the bar when the bar is rotated. The rubber rollers frictionallyengage the paper to feed the paper as the rollers are driven, orrotated. The rubber roller may be a single length of rubber rollerextending substantially along the bar a length approximately equal tothe width of a standard sheet of paper. In the embodiment illustrated,the rollers 48 and 50 instead comprise a plurality of shorter rubberroller sections, 48 b and 50 b respectively, spaced apart along a barand each bonded to the shafts 48 and 50. The lengths of the rubberrollers and number of rubber rollers may vary. For example, the scannerroller 48 may comprise anywhere from one to four or more equally spacedrubber rollers 48 b extending substantially across the bar whileejection roller 50 may comprise anywhere from one to five or more,shorter rubber rollers 50 b extending substantially across the ejectroller shaft. The gear train 20 and a gear assembly 70 for driving eachof the rollers 48 and 50 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS.12C-E.

The main frame 16 is further adapted with two spaces 52 and 54, eachconfigured to receive a motor for powering the hardware. The deviceutilizes at least two drive motors 56 and 58 wired in series, the motorsbeing electronically synchronized and wired through the same circuit.The use of two motors, rather than one motor, in printing devicesactually allows for physically smaller motors, for example small DCmotors, to power the device. The motors are smaller in power anddimension, which contributes to the overall compactness and reduction insize of the device. The use of two motors wired in series also requiresless battery power than the use of a single motor and an idler roller.

A back side of the main frame 16 is configured to receive an optionalbattery and also supports an auto sheet feeder assembly 60. The deviceis configured for both an electrical connection to an external powersource and a battery power source. For example, a lithium ion batterymay optionally be used to power the device. FIGS. 13A-B illustrate theauto sheet feeder 60 which is positioned horizontally along the back ofthe main frame 16 and is a feeder rotationally supporting two largerrubber coated rollers 61 a and 61 b, a gear set 61 c which may comprisea modified planetary gear set where a larger outer gear is operablyconnected to three or more small gears, where the small gears arecompound gears operable to drive the larger outer gear and at least onering gear operably connected to the gear set. The gear set may provide agear reduction of approximately 100 to 1 and where the small drivengears are offset by one tooth such that the small gears rotateapproximately 42 times per revolution of the at least one ring gear. Asmall DC motor 62 for example, of the type and size commonly used withmodel cars, is connected to run the gears which in turn power the sheetfeeder 60.

The auto feeder is secured at a paper infeed opening allowing theautomatic feeding of paper into the main frame 16 for printing. Thesheet feeder 60 may be a pivoting sheet feeder. The sheet feeder 60 androller 61 a and 61 b are pivotally coupled to the printer frame suchthat the rollers 61 a and 61 b are pivotal into and out of the paperpath of the printer. The rollers 61 a and 61 b are thus easily pivotableabout the coupling in order to apply additional force to a sheet loadedinto queue for printing. The feeder 60 and rollers 61 a and 61 b arepivotable towards the paper feed slot in order to contact the paper, oressentially grab the paper, and thus push the paper downwardly and intothe printer as illustrated by arrows 63. Once the paper sheet is fedinto the printer, the sheet feeder 60 is then pivoted in an opposingdirection, or back into the printer, to release the paper. The feeder 60thus pivots to a feed position to contact the paper and feed the paperinto the printer while pivoting back to a position within the printer torelease the sheet once it is fed to the print rollers, allowing thesheet to be fed through the printer for printing. The pivotable couplingallows the sheet feeder 60 to function as a sprag or one way freewheelclutch with respect to the sheets of paper in queue for printing. Thepaper can be pulled in when engaged in the print rollers because theplanetary gear set is allowed to pivot up and release the paper.

Referring back to FIG. 3B, the device may further comprise a sheetbypass feeder component 65. An opening 65 b extends along the length ofthe back side of the device 10 near the base of the device 10. Thebypass feeder design opening allows various substrates to be fed intothe printer for printing in a substantially flat manner through theopening 65 b. When paper is fed into the printer through the bypasscomponent 65, additional paper or substrate may remain in queue forlater printing in the paper feed support. The bypass component 65 allowsa substrate to be fed into the printer without using the auto sheet feedroller or being fed from a vertical position to a horizontal position inthe printer. Instead, the sheet is fed through the bypass feederdirectly into the printer in a horizontal manner, Thus, the bypassopening 65 is effective for printing on various substrates, for example,the substrate may be paper stock of increasing thickness, photo paper orvarious other substrates. The bypass opening 65 allows these substratesto be printed without utilizing the paper feed support as disclosedabove in order to avoid jams or bending the substrate for printing.

The device of the present invention for example, may accommodate up toten (10) sheets of standard paper at a time, the paper in queue forprinting. At least one side length of the main frame 16 is also adaptedon an outer surface with a gear train and small stepper motor assembly64 for the rotating hardware and driving the rollers to feed the paperthrough the device. For example, the gear train 20 may comprise twentygears operably connected to drive the rollers. The gear train 20 isillustrated generally in FIG. 12C, while FIGS. 12D-E illustrate the geartrain assembly connected to and configured for rotating the driverollers 48 and 50. A plurality of star wheels 49 positioned near therollers aid in allowing the drive rollers 48 and 50 to cooperate and tofeed paper through the device by holding paper or other substrates forprinting, scanning and/or copying down against the rollers.

A cover frame 14 is illustrated in FIG. 14 and is configured forattachment on top of the base frame 12 and main frame 16, which ispositioned on the base frame 12. The cover frame 14 is a perimeter coverhaving a substantially open top area 23. The open top area 23 exposes aprint head as well as the maintenance system 36 and surrounding printarea within main frame 16. Sides of the cover frame 14 are adapted forconnection with sides of the base frame 12. The cover frame 14 isgenerally of the same perimeter shape with integral downwardly extendingside walls which provide an upper perimeter to the housing. Front edge68 and back edge (not shown) of the cover frame 14 are each configuredwith a recessed horizontal length 68 a which provide openings in thefront and back of the housing allowing paper to be fed into the housing10 and through the main frame 16 for printing, scanning or copying. Thecover frame 14 is attached to the base frame 12 with screws, allowingfor assembly and access to the main frame 16 and all components thereinas well as the power components positioned within the housing 10 on thebase frame 12.

Cover frame 14 is further adapted with control button switches 72 and 74and a battery cover plate 76. The battery cover plate 76 is a removablesection along the back length of the cover frame 14, allowing theoptional battery to be accessible without removing the cover frame 14.The control button switches 72 and 74 provide power control and functioncontrol selection to the user.

The cover frame 14 is also adapted for connection with a housing cover15 as illustrated in FIG. 15, which may be pivotally attached along arear length allowing the cover 14 to be opened to expose the componentsof the device within the housing 10. Cover 15 is further adapted on aninner facing surface with a sub cover 44, which is pivotally attached tocover 15, allowing the sub cover 44 to be rotated or flipped upwardly,approximately 180 degrees, to a paper support position extending abovecover 15. The cover 15 can be closed to substantially cover the coverframe 14 including the open portion 23 of the cover frame 14. Thus, thecover 15 can be opened for use of the device and closed for storageand/or transport.

FIGS. 16-23 illustrate a print head having a pivotal and extensiblecarriage 80 configured to receive an ink cartridge 83 for printing. Thecarriage 80 comprises a displaceable frame section 84 and a horizontallyfixed frame section 86 that are slidably connected. The displaceableframe section 84 is horizontally slidable into and/or away from thefixed frame section 86 allowing a user to increase or decrease aninternal length of an opening 88 of the carriage. The slidableconnection is configured with at least one bias spring 90 where the biasspring 90 contracts when the lever is rotated upwardly to expose opening88 of the carriage 80. The lever 92 is then rotated down to a closedposition over the opening 88 by extension force of the spring 90 suchthat as the spring is extended, the length of carriage is contracted byrotation of the lever 92 and thus pulling inwardly the displaceableframe 84. The carriage 80 is then slidably secured to the horizontaltrack 38 enabling bi-directional linear movement along the direction ofarrow 81 b of the print head along the x-axis.

The carriage 80 is open along an upper and lower length, allowing an inkcartridge 83 to be inserted into the carriage 80 with the ink dispensingport of the ink cartridge 83 exposed for printing. To insert or removean ink cartridge 83, the carriage 80 has an actuator arm or lever 92.The actuation lever 92 is pivotally secured to the carriage 80 alongdisplaceable frame section 84. The actuation lever 92 is rotatable abouta first axis illustrated by arrow 81 c. The actuation lever 92 extendsupwardly and over the opening 88 of the carriage 80, the opening beingan open area configured for receiving an ink cartridge 83. Thus, thelever 92 is pivotal or rotatable about the first axis 81 c, to provideaccess to the carriage 80 for an ink cartridge 83. The first axis allowsthe lever 92 to move, or pivot, between an opened or raised position anda closed or lowered position. The actuation lever 92 is pivotallyattached to the displaceable frame section 84 in a manner thatsimultaneously results in slidably extending a displaceable framesection 84 away from the stationary frame section 86 along the directionof arrow 81 d when the lever 92 is moved from the closed to the openposition. Conversely, when the lever 92 is moved from the open to theclosed position, the displaceable frame section 84 is moved towards thefixed frame section 86 by spring or springs 90.

The lever 92 is secured to the carriage 80 on the pins 91. A pair ofsmall connecting pins 93 are protruding from lever 92 and are positionedin the carriage just above the connection point of the lever to theframe such that when the lever is lifted upwardly to open and extend thecarriage 80, pins 93 contact the frame to create a camming action topush displaceable frame 84 outwardly and to propel sliding of thedisplaceable frame 84 to extend the length of carriage 80 whilecontracting the springs 90. When the lever 92 is rotated to the closedposition, releasing the lever 92 from the open position allows thesprings 90 to extend and thus act on the displaceable frame 84 to propelthe displaceable frame 84 into a contracted or closed position with thestationary frame 86. Thus the springs are extended in the closedposition.

The open area 88 is then a size configured for easily receiving orremoving the ink cartridge 83. When the lever 92 is lowered and closed,the displaceable frame section 84 is contracted inwardly towards fixedframe section 86, through extension of the compressed springs 90 andclosing the carriage 80. The carriage may be closed around an insertedink cartridge 83 and thus the lever 92 folded down and over the inkcartridge 83. This procedure secures the ink cartridge 83 in thecarriage 80. Moreover, the lever 92 is automatically secured and lockedin the closed position. This further secures the ink cartridge 83 in thecarriage and also provides enough force between the frame sections 84and 86 to ensure electrical contact between the ink cartridge 83 in thecarriage 80 and the electrical contact for enabling printing. Two rubberpads 85 a and 85 b, one rubber pad positioned behind the electricalcontact and the second rubber pad positioned near the front of thecartridge 83 in the carriage 80 provide opposing forces to ensurecontact between the ink cartridge 83 and the electrical contact.

The carriage 80 is also pivotal about a second axis, which is arotational axis. The second axis allows the carriage 80 to be rotated orpivoted from an upright position to a sideways position. Referring backto FIG. 2, the second axis also allows the carriage 80, whether or notan ink cartridge 83 is inserted into the carriage, to rotate about anaxis perpendicular to the axis of linear movement of the print head, therotation being along arrow 81 a. The secondary axis allows the carriage80 to be pivoted to a compact and stowed position 114, where thecarriage is rotated to its side. The compact position 114 allows thecover to be fully closed on the device and further reduces thedimensions of the device, providing a more compact device suitable fortravel or storage. The carriage 80 is then pivotal or rotatable to anupright position, or printing position 116. The upright position alsoallows for inserting and removing a cartridge 83 into the carriage 80and allows the cartridge 83 to be used for printing. Additionally,cleaning, maintenance, and capping the cartridge 83 for temporarystorage, are performed with the cover open.

Thus, when stowed, the carriage 80 is rotated on a side, allowing thecarriage 80 to retain an ink cartridge 83 if desired while stowed. Thestowed position 114 allows the cartridge 83 to be lowered, allowing thecover 15 to be fully closed over the housing 10 resulting in a compactdevice. When preparing for use, the cover 15 is opened and as the coverframe 14 has an open top to provide access to the main frame 16, thecarriage 80 can be rotated to an upright position 116 for printing. Inthis position, the carriage 80 and the ink cartridge are positioned andextend upwardly from and above the main frame 16. The carriage 80 ispivotally connected to the bearing or bracket 40 that is slidablysecured to the track 38, allowing the carriage 80 to be rotatable aboutthe second axis and linearly displaceable along a perpendicular axis forprinting and maintenance functions.

A flexible circuit 94 extends from a first contact panel 96 inside thecarriage 80 to the bracket 40, where an aperture in the bracket 40provides exposure of a second sensor 97. The flexible circuit allows thelinear and rotational movement of the carriage 80 and the ink cartridge83 without damaging the circuit or the sensors. The circuit 94 extendsoutwardly from the bracket 40 and folds or bends in the flexible circuit94 to accommodate the positioning and pivoting of the carriage 80. Anencoder strip 95 a (referring back to FIG. 11B) may pass through thebracket 40 and is mounted to the frame allowing the encoder strip toextend across the housing substantially along the carrier track 38. Theencoder strip 95 a is optically coupled to an optical sensor housedwithin the bracket 40. The encoder strip 95 a is attached to the frameon one side and with, for example, a substantially 90 degree bend in theencoder strip 95 a to a spring extension 95 b, and positionedperpendicular to the encoder strip and along one side of the frame. Thisarrangement and bend 95 c in the encoder strip allows the device housing10 to be further compact in size. The encoder strip may include bends orfolds of up to and including approximately 90 degrees, which allow thestrip to connect the frame and the carriage in a compact manner.

The printing position is a position where the ink cartridge 83 issecured in the carriage 80 and the carriage 80 is pivoted to an upwardposition so that the ink dispensing port of the ink cartridge 83 isexposed in the downward direction for printing. When the carriage 80 andthe cartridge 83 are in the printing position, the carriage 80 has beencompacted in length, also allowing electrical contact between the inkcartridge 83 and the first contact panel, completing the electricalcircuit for dispensing of ink from the cartridge 83.

FIGS. 24-28 illustrate the ink maintenance system 36 of the device. Theink maintenance system 36 is a tray 98 configured to hold an absorbentmaterial or pad 99 and having a wiper 100 as well as a cap assembly 110.The maintenance system 36 is easily removable from connection with thebase frame 12 for disposal and replacement of the maintenance system 36,or alternatively for easy user replacement or cleaning of the tray 98,absorbent material 99 or cleaning of the wipe ledge 100 and/or cap 102components. Opening 19 in the base frame 12 allows the maintenancesystem 36 to be removable from the device. A tool or other smalldiameter instrument may be inserted into the aperture 19 from outside ofthe device housing 10, when inserted into the aperture 19, the tray 98is released from secured connection to the base 12 and device. The tray98 can then be taken out and disposed of, and replaced with a new tray98, as required.

The tray 98 may be exposed when the cover 15 is open for easy access.The tray 98 is substantially flat and generally rectangular in shape. Agear assembly 112 for lifting and lowering the tray is illustrated infurther detail in FIGS. 26A-C. A first end 104 of the tray 98 is adaptedfor a secure and removable connection with a spiral shape cam gear 112 ain the main frame 16 as illustrated in FIG. 26C. The tray is alsoconnected to the power source of the device through connection 104 whichallows the tray 98 to be raised and lowered for cleaning functions asdescribed in further detail below. The tray 98 is positioned on the baseframe 12 extending along the horizontal track and below a horizontaltravel path of the print head.

The tray 98 has a first end holding a spring loaded maintenance cap 102which may be a rubber cap for the ink cartridge 83. Spaced from the cap102 along the tray 98 is an upwardly extending ledge 100 across thewidth of the tray 98. The ledge 100 may be a rubber ledge or wiper.Further along the tray is a substantially flat base area 106 forreceiving the absorbent material 99. The absorbent material 99 mayextend along the length of the base 106, allowing a sufficient amount ofabsorbent material or pad 99 to be exposed to the ink cartridge 83 whenpassed linearly over the tray 98. The absorbent material 99 is securedto the base 106 of the tray 98 and is disposable once the material 99has accumulated ink waste. The base area 106 of the tray 98 is alsoadapted with a plurality of upwardly extending separator units 108spaced apart on the base 106. The absorbent material 99 is configured toallow these separator units 108 to extend through and above the material99. These units 108 prevent paper being fed through the device fromcontacting the absorbent material 99, which accumulates waste ink duringcleaning. As the maintenance system 36 is positioned under the travelpath of paper during printing, the separator units 108 provide a spacerfor paper being fed through the main frame, passing the paper over andabove the absorbent material without making contact.

When a soft “power down” transition has occurred, or the device isplaced in a “sleep” or “hibernate” mode, the carriage 80 may be movedhorizontally along the device to a side end of the device near the capassembly 110 of the maintenance station 36 and then the maintenancestation 36 is lifted up into position to seal and cap the cartridge.When powered on, the maintenance station 36 is lowered and the cartridgeis uncapped and the print head is moved horizontally to a read positionon near the center of the device or an off-set center position. Whenmaintenance is required, the tray 98 is automatically raised towards theprint path and to a height allowing the ink cartridge 83 to contact thewiper 100 and cap 102. The cap 102 and cap assembly 110 are illustratedin further detail in FIGS. 24-25. The print head is then passed over thetray 98 wherein the ink dispensing ports of the ink cartridge 83 areactivated along the length of the absorbent material 99 to removeresidual ink. The ports are then passed over wiper ledge 100 for furtherink removal and cleaning. Referring back to FIG. 2, when powering offthe device completely, or when a hard power down transition occurs forstorage of the device, the cartridge 83 and carriage 80 are movedhorizontally to a left side of the device into a lock position, allowingthe carriage 80 to rotate around axis along arrow 81 a for storage inthe stowed position. A storage cap assembly 118 is positioned within themain frame 16 (referring back to FIGS. 1-2) along a side wall such thatwhen the cartridge 83 is in the stowed position 114, the cartridge 38 isin contact with the storage cap assembly 118. The storage cap assembly118 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 27-28, the cap beingcontactable with the ink dispensing ports of the cartridge 86. Whenstowed, the cartridge 83 is compressed against the cap assembly 118allowing the cap to cover and seal the ink dispensing ports, thusprotecting and preserving the cartridge contents (ink) when stored. Thedevice may then be stored in this manner, and the carriage furtherpositioned for rotation about the second axis to further compact thedevice and allow for full closure of cover 15.

The maintenance station 36 is further operable such that when the deviceis powered on, the tray 98 is automatically lowered with respect to thebase 12 and away from the ink cartridge 83 and print head. The inkcartridge 83 is then released from the cap 102, which is lowered withthe tray 98. The print head is then moved horizontally to the printingposition and may subsequently be used for printing.

The device is configured for wireless and/or wired connection to alaptop computer, tablet, portable device or other computer for receivingprint, scan and/or copy instructions and commands The device is athree-in-one device, capable of scanning documents, copying documentsand printing documents. All of the software and hardware componentsrequired for these functions are disposed within the housing and theattached device, wherein the housing is compact for travel andportability.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

1. A removable maintenance system for a printer comprising: a removabletray having an absorbent surface and configured for accessibleconnection with a surface of a printer below a print head such that whenthe print head is passed over the tray, the print head contacts the trayfor removal of excess ink.
 2. The removable maintenance system of claim1 wherein the removable tray comprises a wiper positioned to contact theprint head.
 3. The removable maintenance system of claim 1 wherein theprint head comprises a print cartridge and wherein the removable tray isconnected to a mechanism for movement toward the print cartridge to sealthe print cartridge.
 4. The removable maintenance system of claim 1wherein the print head comprises a print cartridge and wherein theremovable tray is connected to a mechanism for movement away from theprint cartridge.
 5. The removable maintenance system of claim 1 whereinthe removable tray is configured to be raised or lowered via a gearassembly within the printer.
 6. The removable maintenance system ofclaim 2 wherein the removable tray comprises a print head cap forcapping the print head during nonuse.
 7. The removable maintenancesystem of claim 6 wherein the print head cap, the wiper, and theabsorbent surface are positioned such that the print head whendisengaged from the print head cap will engage the absorbent surface andthen the wiper to remove residual ink.
 8. The removable maintenancesystem of claim 6 wherein the print head cap is positioned along asidewall of the printer such that when not in use, the print head ispositionable to be against the print head cap in a compact arrangement.9. The removable maintenance system of claim 8 wherein the removabletray is configured to be moved away from the print head therebydisengaging the print cap from the print head.
 10. The removablemaintenance system of claim 1 wherein the tray is positioned below apaper path within the printer and further comprises a plurality ofspacers extending from the tray towards the paper path to prevent thepaper from contacting the absorbent material.